DSP Aslam Khan, the head of the anti extremist cell of Crime Investigation Department, raided Eidhi graveyard located within the jurisdictions of Maripur police station.

The criminals sprayed bullets on the police party. As result, an exchange of fire took place between the police and the criminals. Following the encounter, three unknown terrorists died on the spot. Police claimed to have recovered a Kalashnikov, one hand grenade and two TT pistols from their possession. The bodies of alleged terrorists were shifted to morgue for identification after autopsy.

In another police encounter occurred within the jurisdictions of SITE-B police station, police shot dead an alleged bandit and wounded two others. Police said three bandits were engaged in looting people when police, on routine patrolling, tried to intercept them but robbers started firing. In retaliation, police opened fire on the bandits. The wounded bandits were shifted to hospital where one of them succumbed to injuries while remaining culprits were admitted with critical wounds.

Meanwhile, a resident of Gulbahar, who was abducted on Wednesday, was found near Lasbella Chowk. Police said the assailants tortured and later shot him dead.

On the other side, some gunmen shot dead a youth in Natha Khan Goth. Police said Hafiz Anwar, resident of same area, was sitting outside his home when gunmen riding a motorbike targeted him and managed to flee. Police said the victim had a criminal background and his companion killed him over personal dispute.

Rangers’ handing over Karachi can demoralise police

A minor mistake can demoralise the police force which leads to the spread of more violence in the metropolis which is already handed over to rangers for operation cleanup, The Nation has learnt here.

Federal government’s decision to empower the rangers deployed in Karachi can demoralise the police force which is functioning with non-development budget.

Source privy to the matter revealed that strategy to conduct operation against the criminals is being chalked out in which police are remain present on the last line of the task while rangers would lead the operation with the assistance of secret agencies, including the Intelligence Bureau and Inter Services Intelligence.

A former IG and criminologist, on condition of anonymity, while talking to The Nation told that cabinet should review the decision ahead of empowering the rangers because rangers is not capable to do the job of police in the metropolis. He said that rangers could not suppose to work like police due to difference of training. Police have resources, local intelligence system and deep knowledge of the crime and criminals. IG said previous experiences were enough to determine the performance of the police.

Zohra Yousaf, chairperson Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, told The Nation that the decision should be taken back because previous performance history of the rangers reveals its violation of human rights. She said a number of extrajudicial killing cases had been reported in the history of rangers.

She pointed out that intense torture of rangers claimed the lives while many workers of political parties were picked up by the rangers who were later found dead. Zohra said there was a need to strengthen the police force to curb crimes because it would be difficult for paramilitary forces to control the crimes. She criticised the rangers’ practice of cordoning off the whole vicinities and making door-to-door search.

Rangers picked up the suspicious people during door to door search and released them after long interrogation which bothers the common citizens. People have no idea how to approach the rangers to get some information about the whereabouts of their kins. Mishandling during the operation would flare up violence, therefore the government should review the decision ahead of empowering the f rangers.

Dr Nabeel Zubari, department of Criminology/Sociology, University of Karachi told rangers are present in the city since July 8, 1989. “In view of its previous performance, it can be predicted that the operation’s result would be critical. Localised policing could only have a capability to reduce the crime rate.”

Sindh IG Shahid Nadeem Baloch has reportedly said the colonial system of policing was not enough to counter criminals and terrorists but police were continue to fight against the criminals and terrorists on ground.

When contacted, the victims of rangers said there was no option left except to admit whatever they want because of the brutal torture. Police official wished to be anonymous revealed that police investigators could not suppose to investigate the accused persons when rangers handed them over to police because of extreme torture.